Arizona State University (ASU) placed head hockey coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave following an Aug. 20 outdoor workout that left sophomore defenseman Matthew Mayich hospitalized on life support. The school announced that assistant coach Mike Corbett will manage the team until an interim coach is named. The university’s initial report stated Mayich collapsed during a \"wind-down\" exercise involving a medicine ball while temperatures were between 86 and 89 degrees.
A group of seven anonymous players disputed the university's account in a letter sent Monday to ASU President Michael Crow. The players alleged that the 75-minute workout, run by outside consultant Tim Ziesel, lacked adequate water breaks and emergency cooling equipment. Ziesel, through his attorney, denied that the workout was \"military-style,\" stating the exercises were calisthenics and would be considered \"easy\" by high school teams.
The anonymous players alleged Mayich showed signs of distress early in the session, including becoming disoriented during a bear crawl and failing to complete a \"buddy carry\" exercise. They claimed Mayich received no water and was left in direct sunlight for several minutes after collapsing. ASU's initial report stated an athletic trainer used iced towels and cold water to treat Mayich, but the players alleged the only cooling available was a few Powerade towels, squirt bottles, and a garden hose.
Robert Carey, the attorney for Mayich’s family, stated that the 21-year-old suffered exertional heat stroke that reduced oxygen flow to his brain and is \"unlikely to recover.\" Mayich, an Ontario native and St. Louis Blues draft pick, had recently transferred to ASU from Clarkson University. His parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement Wednesday saying that placing only Powers on leave was insufficient, as they believe other staff who oversaw the workout should also be removed pending a full investigation.
The incident involves one student-athlete currently on life support following a workout where temperatures reached 100 degrees earlier in the day. The seven players who spoke out did so anonymously, citing a fear of retaliation regarding their scholarships, roster status, and playing time. A legal representative for the players characterized the school's internal review as \"circling the wagons\" rather than conducting a transparent investigation.
The team begins its season on Friday at Lindenwood. Players will report to the current coaching structure while the ASU Police Department and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office conduct reviews. The findings may lead to changes in how outdoor activities are monitored for athletes arriving from cooler climates, like Mayich, who the players said was not properly acclimated to the Arizona heat.
What happens next: The ASU Police Department is continuing its investigation into the events of Aug. 20. Once that probe concludes, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated her office will conduct a review of the case. The university has not provided a timeline for the duration of Coach Powers' leave or the completion of its own review. The Sun Devils are scheduled to open their season on Friday.